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Thursday, January 28, 2016

French ambassador pledges stronger partnership with IRRI

LOS BAÑOS, Philippines – Thierry Mathou, the
Ambassador of France to the Philippines and Micronesia, visited the
International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) headquarters recently (25 January) to gain a clearer
understanding of the relationship between the government of France and the institute.

IRRI Director General Matthew Morell
welcomed the ambassador and his delegation. He provided them with an
overview of the institute’s mission and acknowledged the contributions of the
French government to rice research.

One of the important points raised during
the meeting was expanding France’s
commitment to IRRI’s mandate. “We have to find ways to increase France’s
contribution to IRRI research and forge a stronger partnership,” Mathou said.

Morell appreciated Mathou’s sentiment. “More
collaborative efforts between IRRI and the government of France as well as French
institutions can help ensure food security in the not-so-distant
future,” he said.

During their visit, the party toured the International Rice Genebank and interacted with IRRI
scientists.

The French government has been a solid
financial supporter of the institute. Since 1986, France has donated more than
USD 11 million in support of various research projects and has provided unrestricted support through CGIAR.

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